Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
Yuri Gripas | Reuters
Rep. Eric Swalwell on Sunday night stated he was suspending his marketing campaign for California governor on the heels of sexual misconduct allegations in opposition to the Democratic lawmaker.
“To my household, employees, associates, and supporters, I’m deeply sorry for errors in judgment I’ve made in my previous,” Swalwell, 45, stated in a submit on X asserting the suspension of his marketing campaign.
“I’ll struggle the intense, false allegations which were made — however that is my struggle, not a marketing campaign’s,” stated Swalwell, a married father of three.
Swalwell’s announcement got here after rising calls by former allies and others that he drop out of the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, a fellow Democrat, and a day after the Manhattan District Lawyer’s Workplace stated it was investigating a declare that Swalwell sexually assaulted one in every of his accusers in New York Metropolis in April 2024.
In an announcement on Sunday, greater than 50 former Swalwell employees members urged him to resign from Congress and to give up the gubernatorial contest.
“Nobody is above the regulation,” the assertion stated, in accordance with The New York Instances. “Not a congressman. Not a candidate for governor. Nobody.”
Swalwell had been a number one contender within the governor’s race till the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday reported {that a} girl who had labored on his congressional employees for practically two years alleged that that they had sexual encounters whereas he was her boss and that he sexually assaulted her on two events when she was too intoxicated to provide consent.
Shortly after the Chronicle broke that story, CNN reported that along with that accuser, “Three different ladies who spoke with CNN additionally alleged numerous sorts of sexual misconduct by the Democratic congressman – together with Swalwell sending them unsolicited specific messages or nude pictures.”
Swalwell, in an announcement on Friday, denied the allegations.
“These allegations are false and are available on the eve of an election in opposition to the frontrunner for governor,” Swalwell stated.
“For practically 20 years, I’ve served the general public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have all the time protected ladies,” he stated.
“I’ll defend myself with the details and the place vital carry authorized motion. My focus within the coming days is to be with my spouse and youngsters and defend our a long time of service in opposition to these lies.”